Determined mothers on a quest for fitness have turned their minds to fundraising.
The Mums on a Mission [MOAM] turquoise team, made up of five local ladies, are hosting a quiz night next Thursday at Speights Ale House from 7pm to bring in the bucks for Hawke's Bay's first emergency shelter.
Kiri and Kevin Swannell are fronting the project, which follows on from a soup kitchen they set up to feed the homeless in Clive Square on Monday nights.
With a deadline to reach $100,000 on Givealittle before the end of this month, the couple know every dollar counts. Following a fundraiser at Thirsty Whale in Ahuriri on Wednesday, they have about $42,800 in pledges, just under half of the total required.
Funds are needed to renovate a two-storey building donated by Property Brokers in Hastings to a plot of land yet to be confirmed. Relocate Homes NZ has come on board to move the building for free.
Once up and running, the shelter would provide a secure place for families to stay after finding themselves trapped in devastating circumstances.
Hawke's Bay Today has launched a campaign, Limitless Hope Emergency Shelter Appeal, to help make this happen. Many businesses and community leaders have offered support already. The cause is one MOAM members agree is important.
"We just wanted something really meaningful to the community - Kiri and Kevin have filled this gap in services for Hawke's Bay and I think that's really vital," MOAM member Sarah Brandeburg said. "It's really cold right now and so we are also collecting blankets, warm clothing and tinned food. We are also doing a small raffle to bring in as much money as possible."
There are 15 tables available to be filled with teams of four to six and entry is $40 - all of which goes to Limitless Hope.
The Swannells' mission came to the attention of another family this week with the PSK Gregory Charitable Trust donating $5000.
Trustee Heather Gregory said it felt good to give a "boost" to the worthy organisation.
"It's just a small local trust run by our family, we thought this was a local cause - the Swannells are putting their family on the line it's the least other families can do to contribute," she said.
-For more details go to Facebook: Quiz Night - Support Limitless Hope Hawke's Bay.